How building in the ‘settlement blocs’ could still sink the two-state solution

What We’re Reading

Occupation/Peace process

Jerusalem expert Danny Seidemann explains why accepting Israeli settlement construction inside the settlement “blocs” is “arguably the most dangerous option being put in front of the international community today,” and would likely destroy prospects for a two-state solution.

Arab Joint List leader MK Ayman Odeh denounced the Israeli Labor Party in biting terms Sunday, accusing it at a conference of dovish pro-Israel lobby J Street of betraying its principles and failing to stand up to the country’s right-wing coalition government.

Gaza

There were flaws, mistakes, bad decisions and failures – and yet it brought the longest period of quiet on the front between Gaza and Israel. These are the main conclusions which can be drawn from the report published on Tuesday by the Israeli State Comptroller on Israel’s war with Hamas in the summer of 2014.

Palestinian politics

“The developments during the early months of 2017 show that the Palestinian Authority continues to prefer to express its opposition to Israeli policy through diplomatic means, including attempts to promote stronger international pressure on Israel,” writes Ido Zelkovitz.